William G. Whitney

William Garrett Whitney
BornDecember 13, 1840
Allen, Michigan
DiedMay 7, 1915(1915-05-07) (aged 74)
Allen, Michigan
Buried
Allen, Michigan
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1861-1865
RankCaptain
UnitMichigan Company B, 11th Michigan Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
Awards Medal of Honor

William Garrett Whitney (December 13, 1840 – May 7, 1915) was an American Medal of Honor recipient who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was awarded for his actions during the Battle of Chickamauga. He served in Company B, 11th Michigan Infantry, enlisting August 24, 1861 as a sergeant. Whitney was 21 years old at the time of enlistment and was from Allen, Michigan. There were at least 53 men who served from Allen.

At the time of his enlistment he was also a student of Hillsdale College. Hillsdale College was founded in 1844 in Spring Arbor and was a strong proponent of abolitionism. Frederick Douglass even spoke on the campus of Hillsdale in January 1863.

Whitney mustered out September 16, 1865 in Nashville. He saw three promotions during his service: second lieutenant on January 7, 1863, first lieutenant on June 17, 1864, and captain on March 1, 1865.


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